The Red Wings gave Sherbrooke Phoenix forward Israel Mianscum a try-out invite to the prospect tournament and training camp, and while Mianscum did not stand out, he tells La Tribune’s Jerome Gaudreau that he had a positive experience. What follows is roughly translated from French:
Mianscum returns from Red Wings camp
Rubbing shoulders with Dylan Larkin, meeting Alex DeBrincat at the gym, finding yourself in the entire world of the Detroit Red Wings. The experience for Phoenix forward Israel Mianscum over the past few days will remain etched in his memory. His next goal: taking part in a preseason game during his next visit to a main NHL camp, and, who knows, maybe even signing a first professional contract.
Returning to Sherbrooke at the start of the week, Israel Mianscum finds himself returning to the Phoenix lineup this Friday after missing the first two games.
The 20-year-old had good reasons to explain his absence: after taking part in the rookie tournament in the company of Sherbrooke native Alexandre Doucet, Mianscum joined the veterans without having the opportunity to find himself on the same rink.
“Everything went well during camp. I learned a lot from being around the other players, coaches and the staff in general. I didn’t play in games with the veterans, but I found myself, for example, in the same gym with the best Red Wings players. It was like a dream come true.”
Not playing in exhibition games for the Red Wings, Israel Mianscum is now a free agent and is preparing to experience one last season in Major Junior hockey.
“My only goal is to have fun while progressing to reach the level which will allow me to play pro one day. I want to have another chance to participate in a professional team’s camp next year, but first, I have to help my team win in Sherbrooke by fulfilling my leadership role and scoring goals. I will continue to work hard so that I can re-live the last experience in Detroit, and gain another opportunity to showcase myself.”
The possibility of finding himself with former coach Stephane Julien next year, because Julien is now an assistant coach with the Grand Rapids Griffins, is part of a long list of possibilities. The AHL will then be his objective.
“The Red Wings liked the way I competed and my compete level,” Mianscum continued. “They told me they would continue to monitor me, and that it was all part of the process. I believe in myself and this last year of juniors at 20 will be beneficial for me.”
He also admitted to being honored by finding out that he’d been named an assistant captain during his absence.“We’re banking on a good group of guys and I’m being given new responsibilities by having a letter ‘A’ on my jersey. We have a good captain and I will help him as best I can to ensure that everyone works together, in the same direction.”
